'Snowman' talks to children

Arthur, Walter's non-talking friend

Children from across Yorkshire have been flocking to one man's front garden in Wakefield to meet a snowman with a difference.

Walter has been holding conversations with youngsters from as far afield as Leeds, Barnsley and Sheffield throughout December.

The talking attraction - which can wave, turn its head and wink, in addition to speaking - is the brainchild of David Wainwright.

Mr Wainwright decided to build the interactive plastic character in his garden in Durkar to amuse the local school pupils and raise money for charity.

He told BBC Look North: "I wanted something totally different to entertain the children.

"We have got a school behind us and I thought it would be a good idea - something interactive for the children."

As well as Walter, the garden contains three other plastic snow models - Ada, Phyllis, Arthur - and a penguin called Percy.

Mr Wainwright usually mans his radio-controlled models from 1500 GMT and sits behind the controls until about 2000 GMT, depending on how many people pass.

Since arriving in the garden at the start of December, Walter and his friends have entertained hundreds of children and raised £1,000 for the Wakefield Hospice through charitable donations.